Navy Chief flags inadequacies in development of propulsion systems, aero-engines and hypersonics capabilities

He added, “We are working with the defence industry parallelly, both as a co-developer and co-collaborators. One key aspect of the Indian Navy’s Atmanurbharta is the impact on the economy and on nation-building. Highlighting the broader impact of indigenous warship-building in national capability and employment, our Defence Minister observed recently and he said that with every ship and submarine built, a new job is created, with every engine, a new skill is created, and with every indigenous system, India’s dependency is decreasing.”

Speaking about maritime risks, “Our maritime neighbourhood faces evolving risks — not only from outright military confrontation, but also from what is increasingly described as a ‘Sphere of Influence 2.0,’ which is a competition driven by infrastructure investments, long-term port leases, maritime logistics hubs, and standards-setting in emerging technologies. This contest entails a shift from the traditional ‘Sphere of influence’, which historically relied on territory, alliances, and overt military presence. Extra-regional powers are now expanding their strategic footprint, sometimes through partnerships, and at other times through economic coercion and leverage, dual-use facilities, and opaque financial arrangements. And for India — located at the heart of the Indian Ocean — these shifts have direct implications for security, prosperity, and strategic autonomy. In a world increasingly dependent on just-in-time logistics, even a brief disruption at a maritime choke point can cascade into global shortages, price spikes, and industrial slowdowns. At the height of the Red Sea crisis, shipping costs on key Asia–Europe routes spiked nearly five-fold — a shock whose effects continued to ripple through global supply chains well into 2025.”

On the shifts in maritime power, the Navy Chief said, “The nature of maritime power itself is undergoing a profound shift. Small actors — state and non-state alike — now wield disproportionate influence through asymmetric capabilities like long-range missiles placed on small platforms, drones and autonomous surface vessels, and low-cost disruptive technologies. Artificial Intelligence, autonomy, and precision-strike systems are rewriting the grammar of maritime warfare. The most persistent risks lie in the grey zone. Grey-zone activities include, among others, the use of disguised vessels, cyber intrusions into port operations, information campaigns and the use of legal tactics or lawfare — to challenge established maritime norms. Taken together, with the rewards and resources, these risks remind us that the maritime domain is an active arena where advantage must be earned, safeguarded, and constantly renewed.”